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Device and method for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia

  • US 5,690,682 A
  • Filed: 06/17/1996
  • Issued: 11/25/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A programmable drug delivery system, said system comprising:

  • (a) a housing capable of being implanted in the human body, said human body having a heart with atrial and ventricular chambers, and a peritoneal and thoracic cavity;

    (b) electronic means within the housing including electrical connection means and means for analyzing electrical signals of the type produced by the heart received through said electrical connection means, for identifying signals indicating the onset of arrhythmia in the heart, and for providing electrical energy to the heart through the connection means to effect sinus rhythm of the heart in response to a signal from said analyzing means indicating a predetermined condition of the heart;

    (c) a rechargeable reservoir means within the housing having an outlet opening for supplying under pressure through the outlet opening a liquid chemical capable of treating the tissues of the heart in response to a signal from said analyzing means indicating the onset of arrhythmia of the heart;

    (d) a first catheter, said first catheter comprising an elongate body having a peripheral surface, proximal and distal ends, a liquid lumen extending longitudinally in said body from an inlet end at said proximal end to an outlet port between said proximal and distal ends, valve means on said elongate body at said outlet port for affording movement of liquid under pressure in said liquid lumen out through said outlet port, said distal end adapted for positioning within the peritoneal cavity or the thorax cavity, adjacent the heart, and said first catheter including attachment means for attaching the first catheter to tissue in the peritoneal cavity or in the thorax cavity adjacent the heart; and

    (e) a second catheter, said second catheter comprising an elongate body having a peripheral surface, an electrode on said peripheral surface, said electrode being at or adjacent said distal end to afford positioning the catheter in the heart, and an electrical lead extending longitudinally within said body from contact ends at said proximal end to said electrode;

    the proximal end of said first catheter elongate body being attached to the housing with the contact end of said electrical lead being coupled to said electrical connection means so that the electronic means receives signals through said electrode, and the electrical energy to the heart is provided through said electrode.

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